I'm starting to see wrinkles on my face. What can I do to prevent them without having surgery?
Line Dancer, Discovery Bay
The Dictator rules: Nothing. You're doomed to look like a prune. OK, not really. We asked an expert, Emma Hobson, education manager for Asia, Australia and New Zealand at the International Dermal Institute (which makes Dermalogica products). She says about 95 per cent of premature ageing is caused by extrinsic factors, and exposure to UVA and UVB rays is 'the biggest meany'. Hobson says sunblock is 'the No. 1 anti-ageing product in the world'. But she also advises looking for anti-oxidants such as walnut and olive extracts. Vitamins A, C, E and B5 (panthenol) are good healers, and cell regenerators such as jasmine and rose essential oils or the new wonder ingredient red seaweed are important. Surprise! The newly launched Dermalogica Power Rich contains a lot of them ($1,680 for five 10ml tubes; Leonard Drake, 35/F, Soundwill Plaza, 38 Russell Street, Causeway Bay, tel: 3156 1181). Red seaweed, which costs US$1 million a vial, is also found in their Multivitamin Power Firm for lip and eye area ($580).
I've lost some weight and would like to wear one of those stretchy (jersey?) dresses that seem to be a la mode. Where can I get them?
Jersey Girl, Shouson Hill
The Dictator: Nothing says recently lost weight like inappropriately tight attire. I advise a test: 1) Take off all your clothes (no, go home first). 2) Stand in front of a truthful mirror. 3) Look for bumps that should not be there: breasts and bottom permitted; jutting hip bones and cottage-cheese deposits earn a disqualification. On the off chance you pass the test, go to the queen of the medium, Diane von Furstenberg. She has a pretty Alaia-esque black dress ($2,500; Lane Crawford, 70 Queen's Road Central, tel: 2113 3388), classic wrap dress in black and red ($3,100), or Leonard-inspired print on a wrap ($2,900) and short-sleeve dress ($3,500). On a nearby rack, Philosophy by Alberta Ferretti offers black or red rayon sleeveless dresses in a modern Grecian goddess style ($2,300), or with wooden beads around the neckline ($4,500). Missoni has only a small selection of T-shirt style dresses in a crochet-like knit with various signature colour combos ($8,900; Missoni, Shop 214, The Landmark, Central, tel: 2845 7632). For a bargain go to Parfait and try on a sleeveless, ruffle-detailed jersey dress in lavender or cream ($438 to $448; Shop A, 178 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2992 0816).
